Meet Our Board and Staff
Our all-volunteer board is drawn from all over Summit Hill. People have all kinds of reasons for serving on the board and come from many different walks of life. Everyone who works with us is someone who cares about our neighborhood deeply and volunteers their time to make it better. We work hand in hand with our dedicated staff and community volunteers to bring various projects and ideas to life. If you’re like us and want to make Summit Hill a better place to live, there are lots of ways to get involved with our work.
SHA Board of Directors
Simon Taghioff - President - Osceola Avenue
We bought our first home in Summit Hill in 2017, moving our young family here because we loved the beautiful older homes, the walkability, and the proximity of shops, cafes, and restaurants on Grand Avenue. It reminded me of the neighborhood where I grew up in London. We've found a real community here - the kind of place where you know your neighbors - as well as lots of other families with young kids.
I joined SHA because I want to make Summit Hill an even better place to live. Serving on our Zoning & Land Use Committee has given me the opportunity to work on several important (and sometimes controversial) studies and projects that shape our neighborhood and city. Partly due to my work with SHA, I was appointed to the Saint Paul Planning Commission in 2021.
As SHA President, I am excited for SHA to be taking on so many exciting new projects, from an improved community park to a revitalized Grand Avenue. We're uniquely placed to deliver neighborhood-scale projects like these for everyone who lives in or visits Summit Hill. I'm here to support our amazing staff, board and volunteers as they work with us to make our community better.
Email Simon: president@summithillassociation.org
Maggie Wenger - Secretary and ZLU Chair - Lincoln Avenue
My family and I moved to Summit Hill in 2019, first to a rental on Goodrich and now in our home on Lincoln Avenue. We picked the neighborhood for its walkability and so I could bike to work in downtown St. Paul. We have grown to love the trees, the beautiful summer gardens and our neighbors! I value the ability to walk or bike my son to preschool and many playgrounds. It doesn't hurt that Bellecour croissants are on the same block as school!
I joined the Summit Hill Association because I wanted to get involved with my neighbors and to help make this a safe and sustainable place to live. I am excited to have more SHA events this year! I look forward to working on bike and pedestrian improvements and helping our neighborhood grow in a way that will serve us for the next hundred years.
Photo: Maggie and her family trick-or-treating in Summit Hill
Email Maggie: zlu@summithillassociation.org
Cole Trace - Vice President - Goodrich Avenue
My wife and I moved to Summit Hill in the summer of 2018 after moving out of our apartment on Selby at Snelling. When we were looking for houses, we knew we wanted to live in St. Paul and were fortunate to end up in Summit Hill. We're spoiled by our dead end street thanks to Ayd Mill and our proximity to Grand Ave with everything it offers. One of the other things I enjoy is each summer I jog up and down the residential streets of the neighborhood as I train (so far unsuccessfully) to run a shorter race during the Twin Cities Marathon weekend and love seeing the great variety of houses and families.
I decided to join SHA because I wanted to have an impact on the area that I'm going to raise my daughter, Eliza. I'm also dedicated to serving others whenever those opportunities are presented to me.
Eva Mastbaum-Wensing - Treasurer - Grand Avenue
Elizabeth Emerson - Communications Chair - Linwood Ave
I moved to Saint Paul in 2000 and have lived, worked and played in the Summit Hill neighborhood for most of my time in the city. I was lucky enough to buy a home here in 2020. Professionally, I work at a Saint Paul-based communications agency leading their state public affairs practice.
I joined SHA as a way to help shape what our city of tomorrow looks like. I love what Summit Hill has to offer, from great parks and natural spaces to beautiful homes and a business corridor. I am passionate about making sure that residents are aware of all the decisions being made that affect them. This is a key role of a district council and I look forward to engaging more of our neighbors in the conversation. I’m excited for the opportunity to use my talents and passion to shape the place I call home.
Ashley Brown - Fairmount Avenue
The Summit Hill neighborhood has been part of my life as long as I can remember. From special outings to Grand Avenue as a child to long walks around the neighborhood dreaming of the perfect home, Summit Hill has always held a special place in my heart. I love the personality, charm, and history of the neighborhood; and the people and the walkability make this a wonderful place to live.
My husband, Matt, and I bought our home in Summit Hill in 2021 after spending many years in Mac-Groveland and Lowertown, and as students at St. Thomas and William Mitchell. I joined SHA because I am passionate about sharing and preserving the magic of this neighborhood. I am excited to be part of a group dedicated to making our neighborhood a better place to live for many years to come.
Dominic Ciresi - Summit Avenue
Dominic was born and raised in St. Paul. As an empty nester with two adult children he decided two years ago to move back to the city that he was born and raised in and has always loved. He loves the Summit Hill neighborhood for its walkable amenities and the many kind neighbors he has met or reconnected with this past year.
He looks forward to working with the SHA to keep our neighborhood great and make it better when possible.
Kathryn Hoppe
A lifelong Midwesterner, Kathryn has called Minnesota home for over three decades. She is an affirmed localist and while she is interested in global events, trends and cultures, she believes that local participation is how to get things done. Therefore, she is honored to be a part of the Summit Hill Association and to contribute to her community.
Kathryn holds the idea of local participation so dear that she switched her football allegiance from the Green Bay Packers (she was raised in Wisconsin) to the Minnesota Vikings. Of course, she hopes that supporting the Summit Hill Association will prove more consistently satisfying!
Tricia Huntley
A Minnesota native, Tricia had lived in Washington DC for 25 years when she contemplated moving back to the Twin Cities. After exploring Summit Hill on a summer visit, she fell in love with the area and put her DC house on the market shortly thereafter. She moved into her newly renovated Saint Paul home in the summer of 2023 and is thrilled to call Minnesota home again.
Tricia is an interior designer and principal of the national design firm Huntley & Co., now headquartered in MSP. She has also opened a design shop, called Greathouse, with a storefront in Tangletown. In her spare time, Tricia loves to shop at vintage and antique stores, visit museums and collect art, and go to the area’s parks (rain, snow, or shine) with her beautiful rescue dog, Ursi.
Jennifer Isernhagen - Fairmount Avenue
Mark Larkins - Fairmount Avenue
My family has lived in Minnesota since 1997, 19 years of which have been in St. Paul. We raised two children here. Professionally, I have been Chief of Neurosurgery at two major Twin Cities institutions. This was until 2011, at which time I decided to strike out on my own and do freelance consultations and coverage of Level I and II Trauma Centers across the country.
My wife did intensive one-on-one tutoring of elementary school students at a local elementary school, Maxfield, for seven years. I was actually compelled by my wife to join the Summit Hill Association due to my strong feelings regarding the decline of the Grand Avenue business corridor and issues regarding personal safety in St. Paul. I hope to take on some very selective projects that potentially help make a difference in regard to both of these issues or at least have some significant input into changing some of the decision making that is taking place now.
Alli Maass - Grand Avenue
I moved into Summit Hill almost a decade ago and live for the hustle and bustle of the community outside my front window on Grand. I’m passionate about finding new ways to bring us as neighbors closer together to combat the growing sense of isolation that set in during the pandemic.
I want to help strengthen the sense of pride we take as residents of this district, helping highlight the incredible historic buildings and the people who call them home.
I am one of the many long term renters, both craving and contributing to the core of what makes our area unique and as a mom of four kids spanning elementary to high school I prioritize what makes our streets safe and walkable too.
Kate Quicksell - Benhill Road
I moved to the neighborhood in 2018 having never lived in the Twin Cities before, and immediately fell in love with the area. My husband and I bought our house in 2020 and ended up on beautiful Benhill where we are lucky to enjoy few neighbors and many trees.
I decided to join SHA because I had so many questions and opinions about the neighborhood. Who decides what trees and grasses get planted? Who organizes community events? Who decides parking minimums? Who communicates with businesses on Grand? I wanted to be a person who helps answer all the many questions I had, keeping sustainability, small business, and walkability at the core of the neighborhood.
My husband and I are expecting our first child this summer, and it has only solidified our desire to remain in this neighborhood and continue to improve it for all the families who call it home. I am so excited to let my son choose a donut at Woellet’s, play in any of our neighborhood parks, walk to daycare and school, have brunch at Salut, admire the beautiful homes and leafy trees, attend a neighborhood concert with grandma while we enjoy a dinner at Hyacinth, and continue to take in everything Summit Hill can offer.
Deb Salls - Summit Ave
I was born in St. Paul, MN and lived in St. Paul for a decade of my adult life until I moved away for about 20 years to live in St. Louis, Chicago, and Seattle for my career as a youth development and nonprofit professional. In 2021, I moved back and bought a condo on Summit Ave a few down from the University Club. I love St Paul and both homes I have owned over the years have been in the Summit Hill neighborhood. I love the history, the little out of the way haunts, and the endless places to explore in our neighborhood.
I have always been active in the community through various nonprofit organizations, and I was happy to join the Summit Hill Association Board to get more involved in my neighborhood.
Tony Sjogren - Lincoln Ave
My wife Stacy and I moved to a home on Lincoln Ave in St Paul just over 10 years ago. We had raised our two daughters in the St Cloud areas and were ready for a change. We wanted to be in St Paul specifically for the nature of the neighborhoods and the amenities a larger city has to offer. We love the Summit Hill Neighborhood.
When not working at a Rebuilding Together MN - not for profit housing organization, I spend time fixing up our 1920’s duplex or in the front of my boat fishing up north.
Dan Walsh - Grand Avenue
Having spent most of my life in St Paul, I have always admired the Summit Hill area. I remember my grandma taking me to the first Grand Day Parade back in 1977 and over the years I have come to enjoy and cherish the area.
When the opportunity to purchase a home in the area became available years ago, I jumped on it. My family has been a part of St. Paul for over 100 years. We are one the founding families of the St Paul Curling Club so being a part of the area that I have known for so long seemed like I had found my place.
I decided to raise my hand and join the Summit Hill Association Board because we need to preserve communities like this as they are unfortunately becoming an endangered species. Having the opportunity to help drive and build a better community was something I felt I had to be part of. I look forward to helping and adding to an already great history with the board as well as an unbelievable group of members and community residents.
Interested in serving your neighborhood? Learn more about serving on the SHA Board.
SHA Staff
Our Executive Director and her team work with our board to set our overall vision and strategic direction, and are responsible for delivering our board projects and annual work plan, and putting on community events. They run the organization and manage our volunteers. They also work closely with the City of Saint Paul and its various departments to coordinate communications and community engagement. Our staff hold office hours at Linwood Recreation Center every week, as well as regular community coffees and other outreach.
For general inquiries and office hours, please see our contact page.
Monica Haas - Executive Director - St. Clair Avenue
My husband and I moved to Summit Hill 20 years ago. We had had our wedding reception on Summit Avenue and we instantly fell in love with the neighborhood. We went on to raise our four daughters here. When we first moved in, I was given a welcome basket from SHA, and I always thought it would be a cool job to have, and one day there happened to be an opening. I took the job seven years ago. I love working with our neighbors, businesses, and our local government. I have had the privilege of working with some very talented people. I am excited to see how our neighborhood will develop and change as we grow as a community.
Email Monica: director@summithillassociation.org